Video/audio output device and external speaker control apparatus

ABSTRACT

The invention provides an external speaker control apparatus for causing only one of an internal speaker and an external speaker to output audio when a power supply of the external speaker control apparatus which controls the external speaker changes from an off state to an on state, the external speaker being a speaker outside a video and audio output apparatus. The external speaker control apparatus includes a microcomputer for detecting the change of the power supply of an amplifier from an off state to an on state and a HDMI/CEC communication unit for outputting an instruction requesting output of information which indicates the audio output mode to the video and audio output apparatus while at the same time receiving the information indicating the audio output mode from the video and audio output apparatus in the case where the microcomputer detects the change of the power supply from an off state to an on state, wherein the microcomputer controls the output of the audio from the external speaker based on the information indicating the audio output mode.

BACKGROUND

The present invention relates to a video/audio output device foroutputting video and audio to an external speaker control apparatuswhich controls a speaker outside the video/audio output device.

In recent years, users are able to enjoy ambient audio, known generallyas surround sound, by connecting an AV amplifier in between a pluralityof speakers and a video/audio output device such as a TV, andoutputting, from the plurality of the speakers connected to the AVamplifier, the audio of broadcast contents received by a TV tuner or aset top box (STB), or the audio of video contents reproduced by a DVDplayer/DVD recorder.

A user intending to output surround sound turns off (mutes) the audiooutputted from the speaker (internal speaker) of the TV by operating theremote control button or the main button of the TV, and then, byoperating a remote control button or the main button of the AVamplifier, causes input audio from the device, which is outputting thecontents displayed by the TV, to be outputted from a speaker (externalspeaker) connected to the AV amplifier. In the process, the user isrequired first to operate the remote control button or a button on theconsole and then to operate a remote control button of the AV amplifieror a button on the AV amplifier. Since these operations must beperformed for plural devices, the apparatuses above are notuser-friendly.

In order to solve this problem, and to simplify the TV and AV amplifieroperations when outputting the audio from the speaker (external speaker)connected to the AV amplifier, AV amplifiers have been realized in whichan audio output source is switched by the on/off operation of the powersupply switch on the AV amplifier.

Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. 5-153520 bulletin, for example, disclosesan AV amplifier which can make up a surround system in combination witha TV receiver and which greatly facilitates the switching operationbetween use of the surround system and use of the TV receiver alone.

FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing the AV amplifier disclosed in JapanesePatent Laid-Open No. 5-153520.

In FIG. 1, when the surround system is used, a power supply switch 41 ofthe AV amplifier 40 is turned on, a change-over switch 50 is switched toa center audio amplifier circuit 48 side, and the audio signal suppliedto an audio input terminal 43 from the reproduction device, such as aVTR or an LD, is supplied to the speaker connected to the AV amplifier40 through a Dolby surround processor (DSP) 45 and an output terminal49. When using the TV receiver alone, on the other hand, the powersupply switch 41 of the AV amplifier 40 is turned off, the change-overswitch 50 is turned to a TV audio input terminal 51 side, so that the TVaudio processed in the amplifier circuit of the TV receiver is suppliedto the speaker (internal speaker) of the TV receiver.

In the method disclosed Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. 5-153520, asdescribed above, the audio is outputted from the speaker (internalspeaker) built into the TV or the audio is outputted from the speaker(external speaker) outside the TV by switching the power supply switchof the AV amplifier between an on state and an off state.

Even when the power supply switch of the AV amplifier is turned from anoff state to an on state, some TV receivers still output the audio fromthe internal speaker if the TV power supply is turned on after suchchange is made. In this case, the audio is outputted from both theinternal and external speakers. Also, in the case where the userdirectly operates the TV or the AV amplifier, the audio can be set so asto not be outputted from the internal or the external speaker. The userdesires that the audio is outputted from only one of the internal andexternal speakers.

SUMMARY

An aspect of the invention is to provide a video/audio output device andan external speaker control apparatus for outputting the audio from onlyone of the internal and external speakers when the power supply for theexternal speaker control apparatus that controls the external speaker,i.e. a speaker outside the video/audio output device, changes from anoff state to an on state.

Another aspect of the invention is to provide a video/audio outputdevice for outputting the audio from only one of the internal andexternal speakers when the power supply for the video/audio outputdevice changes from an off state to an on state.

In order to solve the aforementioned problem and achieve theaforementioned aspects, a video and audio output apparatus is providedaccording to an aspect of the invention, for outputting video and audio,including an internal speaker which outputs the audio, a holding unitwhich holds information, an accepting unit which accepts an instructionfrom outside the video and audio output apparatus, a management unitwhich causes the holding unit to hold information which indicates anyone of a plurality of audio output modes based on a mode-specifyinginstruction for specifying the output mode of the audio accepted by theaccepting unit, a receiving unit which receives an instruction from anexternal speaker control apparatus for controlling the external speakerwhich is a speaker outside the video and audio output apparatus, and anoutput unit which outputs the information indicating the audio outputmode held in the holding unit to the external speaker control apparatusin the case when the receiving unit receives an instruction requestingoutput of the information indicating the audio output mode from theexternal speaker control apparatus.

According to an aspect of the invention, there is provided an externalspeaker control apparatus for controlling the external speakerconstituting a speaker outside the video and audio output apparatus,comprising a detection unit which detects the change of the power supplyof the external speaker control apparatus from an off state to an onstate, an output unit which outputs an instruction requesting the outputof the information indicating the audio output mode to the video andaudio output apparatus in the case where the detection unit detects thechange of the power supply from an off state to an on state, a receivingunit which receives the information from the video and audio outputunit, and a control unit which controls the output of the audio from theexternal speaker based on the information indicating the audio outputmode received by the receiving unit.

As described above, when the power supply changes from an off state toan on state, the external speaker control apparatus according to anaspect of the invention outputs an instruction requesting the output ofthe information indicating the audio output mode to the video and audiooutput apparatus, receives the information indicating the audio outputmode from the video and audio output apparatus, and based on thisinformation, controls the audio outputted from the external speaker. Asa result, the audio is output only from one of the internal and externalspeakers.

In the video and audio output apparatus according to an aspect of theinvention, the management unit, for example, causes the holding unit tohold, based on the mode-specifying instruction, one of (a) theinformation indicating a first audio output mode for causing theinternal speaker to output the audio and (b) the information indicatinga second audio output mode for causing the external speaker to outputthe audio.

The video and audio output apparatus according to an aspect of theinvention may further include a control unit which (a) causes theinternal speaker to output the audio in the case where the informationindicating the first audio output mode for causing the internal speakerto output the audio is held in the holding unit, and which (b) causesthe internal speaker not to output the audio in the case where theinformation indicating the second audio output mode for causing theexternal speaker to output the audio is held in the holding unit.

Also, in the external speaker control apparatus according to an aspectof the invention, the control unit, for example, (a) causes the externalspeaker not to output the audio in the case where the receiving unitreceives the information indicating the first audio output mode foroutputting the audio from the internal speaker of the video and audiooutput apparatus and (b) causes the external speaker to output the audioin the case where the receiving unit receives the information indicatingthe second audio output mode for outputting the audio from the externalspeaker.

Also, according to an aspect of the invention, there is provided a videoand audio output apparatus for outputting the video and the audio,including an internal speaker for outputting the audio, a holding unitwhich holds the information, an accepting unit which accepts aninstruction from outside the video and audio output apparatus, amanagement unit which causes the holding unit to hold the informationindicating any one of a plurality of audio output modes based on amode-specifying instruction for specifying the audio output modeaccepted by the accepting unit, a control unit which controls the audiooutputted from the internal speaker based on the information indicatingthe audio output mode held in the holding unit, a detection unit whichdetects the change of the power supply of the video and audio outputapparatus from an off state to an on state, and an output unit whichoutputs the information indicating the audio output mode held in theholding unit to the external speaker control apparatus which controlsthe speaker outside the video and audio output apparatus in the casewhere the detection unit detects the change of the power supply from anoff state to an on state.

An aspect of the invention can be realized as a method including, assteps, the unique configuration means of the video and audio outputapparatus according to an aspect of the invention, can be realized as aprogram with these steps executed by a computer or can be realized as anintegrated circuit including the unique configuration means describedabove. Also, an aspect of the invention can be realized as a methodincluding, as steps, the unique configuration units of the externalspeaker control apparatus according to an aspect of the invention or canbe realized as an integrated circuit including the unique configurationunits described above. The program described above can be distributedthrough a recording medium such as CD-ROM or a transmission medium suchas a communication network.

The invention can provide a video and audio output apparatus and anexternal speaker control apparatus for outputting audio from only one ofthe internal speaker and the external speaker when the power supply ofthe external speaker control apparatus for controlling the externalspeaker constituting a speaker outside the video and audio outputapparatus changes from an off state to an on state.

According to an aspect of the invention, the audio output state of thevideo and audio output apparatus and the external speaker controlapparatus can be switched simply by operating the video and audio outputapparatus. Therefore, an operation for switching the audio output statecan be simplified and usability can be improved.

Also, the audio output state can be restored to a desired state evenwhen the audio is outputted from both the video and audio outputapparatus and the external speaker control apparatus, or when both aremuted. Therefore, the operation of switching the audio output state canbe simplified, and usability can be improved.

Also, an aspect of the invention can provide a video and audio outputapparatus for outputting the audio from either only the internal speakeror only the external speakers when the power supply of the video andaudio output apparatus turns from an off state to an on state.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing an AV amplifier which constitutes thebackground art to the invention.

FIG. 2 is a diagram showing a configuration of a system according to theembodiments.

FIG. 3 is a block diagram showing a configuration of a TV 1 according tothe embodiments.

FIG. 4 is a block diagram showing a configuration of an amplifier 2according to the embodiments.

FIG. 5 is a diagram showing a menu screen displayed on the TV 1according to the embodiments.

NUMERICAL REFERENCES

-   -   1 TV    -   2 Amplifier    -   3 External speaker    -   101 Memory    -   102 Remote control receiving unit    -   103 Microcomputer    -   104 HDMI/CEC communication unit    -   105 Tuner    -   106 Decoder    -   107 Display    -   108 Internal speaker    -   109 External output unit    -   110 Mode flag    -   201 HDMI/CEC communication unit    -   202 Microcomputer    -   203 HDMI/CEC communication unit    -   204 Selector    -   205 External signal input unit    -   206 Speaker output unit

BEST MODE FOR CARRYING OUT THE INVENTION

The embodiments of the invention are explained below with reference tothe drawings.

FIG. 2 is a diagram showing a configuration of the system according tothe embodiments. The system according to an aspect of the invention isconfigured of a TV 1, an amplifier 2 and an external speaker 3. The TV 1is a device for receiving the broadcast wave and outputting the videoand the audio, and is an example of the video/audio output deviceaccording to an aspect of the invention. The amplifier 2 is a device foramplifying the signal inputted from the TV 1 and outputting the signalto the external speaker 3, and is an example of the external speakercontrol apparatus according to an aspect of the invention. The externalspeaker 3 is a device for outputting the audio based on the audio signalfrom the amplifier 2.

The TV 1 and the amplifier 2 are connected to each other by ahigh-definition multimedia interface (HDMI) cable, and the video andaudio signals outputted from the amplifier 2 are inputted into the TV 1.

Further, the TV 1 and the amplifier 2 are connected to each other by anoptical cable, and the audio signal outputted from the TV 1 is inputtedinto the amplifier 2.

Also, the TV 1 and the amplifier 2 connected to each other by the HDMIcable can exchange a consumer electronics control (CEC) command witheach other through a CEC.

FIG. 3 is a block diagram showing a configuration of the TV 1 accordingto the embodiments.

As shown in FIG. 3, the TV 1 is configured of a memory 101, a remotecontrol receiving unit 102, a microcomputer 103, an HDMI/CECcommunication unit 104, a tuner 105, a decoder 106, a display 107, aninternal speaker 108 and an external output unit 109. A mode flag 110 isstored in the memory 101.

The TV 1 is operated by a remote control (hereinafter referred to as the“TV remote control”).

When the remote control receiving unit 102 receives a command from a TVremote controller (not shown), the microcomputer 103 executes theprocess corresponding to the received command. For example, themicrocomputer 103 switches the channel of the tuner 105 and the inputand output of the decoder 106. The decoder 106, in response to theinstruction of the microcomputer 103, outputs the video and audiosignals inputted from the tuner 105 and the HDMI/CEC communication unit104 to the display 107 and the internal speaker 108 or the externaloutput unit 109.

The memory 101 is an example of the holding unit of the video/audiooutput device according to an aspect of the invention, and the remotecontrol receiving unit 102 is an example of the accepting unit of thevideo/audio output device according to an aspect of the invention. Themicrocomputer 103 is an example of the management unit and of thecontrol unit in the video/audio output device according to an aspect ofthe invention, and the HDMI/CEC communication unit 104 is an example ofa receiving unit and an output unit of the video/audio output deviceaccording to an aspect of the invention.

FIG. 4 is a block diagram showing a configuration of the amplifier 2according to the embodiments.

As shown in FIG. 4, the amplifier 2 is composed of an HDMI/CECcommunication unit 201, a microcomputer 202, an HDMI/CEC communicationunit 203, a selector 204, an external signal input unit 205 and aspeaker output unit 206.

The microcomputer 202 executes the process corresponding to the CECcommand received by the HDMI/CEC communication unit 201 or the HDMI/CECcommunication unit 203. For example, the microcomputer 202 switches theinput/output of the selector 204. The selector 204 outputs the video andaudio signals inputted from the HDMI/CEC communication unit 203, as wellas the audio signal inputted from the external signal input unit 205 tothe HDMI/CEC communication unit 201 or the speaker output unit 206according to an instruction from the microcomputer 202.

The microcomputer 202 is an example of the detection unit and thecontrol unit of the external speaker control apparatus according to anaspect of the invention, and the HDMI/CEC communication unit 201 is anexample of the output unit and the receiving unit of the externalspeaker control apparatus according to an aspect of the invention.

In the system shown in FIG. 2, the external speaker 3 is connected by aspeaker cable to the speaker output unit 206 in FIG. 4. Also, theHDMI/CEC communication unit 201 in FIG. 4 is connected to the HDMI/CECcommunication unit 104 in FIG. 3 by the HDMI cable. The external signalinput unit 205 in FIG. 4 is connected by an optical cable to theexternal output unit 109 in FIG. 3.

FIG. 5 is a diagram showing the menu screen displayed on the TV 1according to the embodiment.

As shown in FIG. 5, items that are selectable by the user and which theuser can cause to be performed by the TV 1 after being selected aredisplayed on the menu screen. Items capable of being switched between TVmode and theater mode (items with the name “mode change” in FIG. 5) byuser selection are displayed on the menu screen.

(Definition of Mode)

The TV mode and the theater mode managed by the microcomputer 103 of theTV 1 are explained below. According to this embodiment, “TV mode” isdefined as the state in which the muted state of the audio outputtedfrom the internal speaker 108 of the TV 1 is canceled and the audiooutputted from the external speaker 3, which is connected to theamplifier 2, is muted. In contrast, a state in which the audio outputtedfrom the internal speaker 108 of the TV 1 is muted and the muted stateof audio outputted from the external speaker 3, which is connected tothe amplifier 2, is canceled is defined as “theater mode”.

(Mode Change/Switching from TV Mode to Theater Mode)

The flow of the process for switching the mode flag 110 stored in thememory 101 of the TV 1 from TV mode to theater mode is explained below.

When the mode flag 110 stored in the memory 101 indicates the TV mode,the microcomputer 103 outputs the video signal received by the tuner 105to the display 107, and outputs the audio signal received by the tuner105 to the internal speaker 108 and the external output unit 109. Thusaudio is outputted from the internal speaker 108 of the TV 1.

Also, the amplifier 2 mutes the audio signal, which is inputted from theexternal signal input unit 205 connected with the external output unit109 of the TV 1 and outputted to the speaker output unit 206. Thus noaudio is outputted from the external speaker 3 connected to theamplifier 2.

In this state, the user displays the menu held by the memory 101 on thedisplay 107 of the TV 1 using the TV remote control or the like andselects a menu item (“mode change”) for changing the mode flag 110recorded in the memory 101 of the TV 1. The microcomputer 103 of the TV1 analyzes the selected menu item and changes the mode flag 110 recordedin the memory 101. Specifically, the microcomputer 103 changes the modeflag 110 recorded in the memory 101 from TV mode to theater mode.

Next, the microcomputer 103 instructs the decoder 106 to mute the audiofrom the internal speaker 108.

The decoder 106, in response to the instruction from the microcomputer103 to mute the audio of the internal speaker 108, mutes the audio fromthe internal speaker 108.

As a result, audio is no longer outputted from the internal speaker 108of the TV 1.

Also, the microcomputer 103 transmits, to the amplifier 2 through theHDMI/CEC communication unit 104, the CEC command indicating that themode flag 110 recorded in the memory 101 of the TV 1 has been changedfrom the TV mode to the theater mode.

In the amplifier 2, the HDMI/CEC communication unit 201 connected withthe HDMI/CEC communication unit 104 of the TV 1 receives the CEC commandfrom the TV 1.

The microcomputer 202 analyzes the CEC command received by the HDMI/CECcommunication unit 201, the CEC command being a command indicating thatthe mode flag 110 recorded in the memory 101 of the TV 1 has beenchanged from TV mode to theater mode, instructs the selector 204 tooutput the audio signal inputted from the external signal input unit 205to the speaker output unit 206.

The selector 204, upon receipt of the instruction from the microcomputer202 to output the audio signal inputted from the external signal inputunit 205 to the speaker output unit 206, outputs the audio signal to thespeaker output unit 206.

Thus the audio is outputted from the external speaker 3.

(Mode Change/Switching from Theater Mode to TV Mode)

Next, the flow of the process for switching the mode flag 110 stored inthe memory 101 of the TV 1 from theater mode to TV mode is explainedbelow.

When the mode flag 110 stored in the memory 101 indicates the theatermode, the microcomputer 103 outputs the video signal received by thetuner 105 to the display 107, and without outputting the audio based onthe audio signal received by the tuner 105 from the internal speaker108, outputs the received audio signal to the external output unit 109.Thus no audio is outputted from the internal speaker 108 of the TV 1.

Also, the amplifier 2 outputs the audio signal which is inputted fromthe external signal input unit 205 connected with the external outputunit 109 of the TV 1, and outputted to the speaker output unit 206.Thus, the audio is outputted from the external speaker 3 connected tothe amplifier 2.

Under this condition, the menu held by the memory 101 is displayed onthe display 107 of the TV 1 by use of the TV remote control or the likeand a menu item (“mode change”) for changing the mode flag 110 recordedin the memory 101 of the TV 1 is selected. The microcomputer 103 of theTV 1 analyzes the selected menu item, and changes the mode flag 110recorded in the memory 101. In other words, the microcomputer 103changes the mode flag 110 recorded in the memory 101 from theater modeto TV mode.

Next, the microcomputer 103 instructs the decoder 106 to output theaudio from the internal speaker 108, which has not yet outputted theaudio.

The decoder 106 causes the microcomputer 103 to output the audio fromthe internal speaker 108 which has not yet output the audio.

Thus, the audio is outputted from the internal speaker 108 of the TV 1.

Also, the microcomputer 103 transmits, to the amplifier 2 through theHDMI/CEC communication unit 104, the CEC command indicating that themode flag 110 recorded in the memory 101 of the TV 1 has been changedfrom TV mode to theater mode.

In the amplifier 2, the HDMI/CEC communication unit 201 connected withthe HDMI/CEC communication unit 104 of the TV 1 receives the CEC commandfrom the TV 1.

The microcomputer 202 analyzes the CEC command received by the HDMI/CECcommunication unit 201, the CEC command being a command indicating thatthe mode flag 110 recorded in the memory 101 of the TV 1 has beenchanged from theater mode to TV mode, and instructs the selector 204 notto output the audio based on the audio signal inputted from the externalsignal input unit 205 and outputted from the speaker output unit 206.

The selector 204, upon receipt of an instruction from the microcomputer202 not to output the audio signal, which is inputted from the externalsignal input unit 205, to the speaker output unit 206, prevents outputof the audio signal from the speaker output unit 206.

Thus, the audio ceases to be outputted from the external speaker 3.

Next, a method is explained below for recovering to a state in which theaudio is outputted from only a speaker desired by the user, both whenthe audio is outputted from the internal speaker 108 and the externalspeaker 3 of the TV 1, or conversely, when the audio is outputted fromneither the internal speaker 108 nor the external speaker 3, due to thefact that the power supply of the TV 1 and/or the amplifier 2 is turnedon again after being muted or the user has performed an erroneousoperation using a button on the console 1, a remote control button forthe TV 1 and/or the amplifier 2.

FIRST EMBODIMENT

In the first embodiment, a flow of processes in the system shown in FIG.2 is explained for changing the output state of the audio outputted fromthe external speaker 3 given that the amplifier 2 is configured tooutput the audio from the external speaker 3 immediately after power ofthe amplifier 2 is inputted for when the user mutes the power supplyusing the main button or the remote control button of the amplifier 2and then turns on the power supply, or when the power supplied to theamplifier 2 is cut off for some reason and after that, the power supplyis resumed and the power supply of the amplifier 2 is turned on again,or the power supply of the amplifier 2 is muted for other reasons andafter that, the power supply of the amplifier 2 is turned on again.

First, the microcomputer 202 of the amplifier 2 detects that the powersupply is changed from an off state to an on state when the power supplyis switched on, and, through the HDMI/CEC communication unit 201,transmits a CEC command requesting the TV 1, connected with theamplifier 2, to give notification of information indicating whether themode flag 110 recorded in the memory 101 of the TV 1 is in the TV modeor the theater mode.

Upon receipt of the CEC command by the HDMI/CEC communication unit 104from the HDMI/CEC communication unit 201 of the amplifier 2, requestingnotification of the mode information indicated by the mode flag 110,which is recorded in the memory 101, the microcomputer 103 in the TV 1transmits the CEC command, carrying the mode information indicated bythe mode flag 110 recorded in the memory 101, to the amplifier 2 throughthe HDMI/CEC communication unit 104.

The microcomputer 202 of the amplifier 2 analyzes the CEC commandreceived by the HDMI/CEC communication unit 201, and when the mode flag110 indicates the TV mode, instructs the selector 204 not to output theaudio signal that has thus far been inputted from the external signalinput unit 205 and outputted from the speaker output unit 206.

The selector 204, upon receipt of the instruction from the microcomputer202 not to output the audio signal inputted from the external signalinput unit 205 to the speaker output unit 206, ceases to output theaudio signal to the speaker output unit 206.

Thus the audio ceases to be outputted from the external speaker 3.

In the case where the mode flag 110 indicates the theater mode, themicrocomputer 202 of the amplifier 2 instructs the selector 204 tooutput the audio signal that has been inputted from the external signalinput unit 205 and outputted from the speaker output unit 206.

In this case, audio is outputted from the external speaker 3 andtherefore the audio output state remains unchanged.

In this way, according to the first embodiment, by checking the outputformat of the audio according to the mode flag 110 recorded in the TV 1immediately after switching on the power of the amplifier 2, theamplifier 2 can prevent the audio of both the internal speaker 108 andthe external speaker 3 of the TV 1 from being muted or prevent the audiofrom being outputted from both the internal speaker 108 and the externalspeaker 3 if required, by changing the output state of the audio.

SECOND EMBODIMENT

In the second embodiment, a flow of processes is explained for changingthe output state of the audio outputted from the internal speaker 108given that the TV 1 is configured to output the audio from the internalspeaker 108 immediately after switching on the power of the TV 1, whenthe user mutes the power supply using the main button or the remotecontrol button of the TV 1 and after that, turns on the power supplyagain, or when the power supplied to the TV 1 is cut off for some reasonand after that, the power supply is resumed and the power supply of theTV 1 is turned on, or when the power supply of the TV 1 is muted forsome other reason and subsequently, the power supply of the TV 1 isturned on again.

First, the microcomputer 103 of the TV 1 detects that the power supplyhas changed from an off state to an on state when the power is switchedon, and analyzes the mode flag 110 recorded in the memory 101. Note thatthe microcomputer 103 is also an example of the detection unit of thevideo/audio output device according to an aspect of the invention.

When the mode flag 110 analyzed indicates the TV mode, the microcomputer103 instructs the decoder 106 to output the audio from the internalspeaker 108.

The decoder 106, upon receipt of the instruction from the microcomputer103 to output the audio from the internal speaker 108, causes theinternal speaker 108 to output the audio. Thus the audio is outputtedfrom the internal speaker 108 of the TV 1.

In this case, the audio has already been outputted from the internalspeaker 108, and therefore the audio output state of the TV 1 remainsunchanged.

When the analyzed mode flag 110 indicates the theater mode, themicrocomputer 103 instructs the decoder 106 not to output the audio fromthe internal speaker 108.

The decoder 106, upon receipt of the instruction from the microcomputer103 not to output the audio from the internal speaker 108, mutes theaudio from the internal speaker 108.

Thus, no audio is outputted from the internal speaker 108 of the TV 1.

In this way, according to the second embodiment, the TV 1, immediatelyafter its power is switched on, confirms the audio output stateaccording to the mode flag 110 stored in the memory 101, and changes it,if required. As a result, a situation in which the audio of both theinternal speaker 108 and the external speaker 3 of the TV 1 are muted,or the audio is outputted from both speakers, can be prevented.

Note that the first and second embodiments refer to the case in whichthe power supply of the amplifier 2 is switched on and the case in whichthe power supply of the TV 1 is switched on. When the power supplies ofthe TV 1 and the amplifier 2 are switched on at the same time, the TV 1first confirms the state of the audio outputted from the internalspeaker 108 based on the mode flag 110 recorded in the memory 101, andchanges the state of the audio if required. Then, the amplifier 2confirms and if required, changes the state of the audio outputted fromthe external speaker 3 based on the mode flag 110 received from the TV1. As a result, when the power supplies of both the TV 1 and theamplifier 2 are switched on at the same time and the audio is outputtedfrom both speakers, also, the state before switching off the power ofthe TV 1 and the amplifier 2 can be easily recovered by changing a mainstate of the audio based on the mode flag 110 recorded in the TV 1.

Also, according to the first and second embodiments, when the power forthe TV 1 and the amplifier 2 is switched on, the TV 1 and the amplifier2 confirm and if required, change their audio output states according tothe mode recorded in the memory of the TV 1. Nevertheless, in additionto the time when power is switched on, the TV 1 and the amplifier 2 mayconfirm and if required, change their audio output states according tothe mode recorded in the memory 101 of the TV 1 at an appropriatetiming, without regard to the time when the power is switched on, whentheir audio output states are changed for some reason or by a useroperation.

As a result, without assuming that the audio is not outputted from theinternal speaker 108 and the external speaker 3 of the TV 1, even in thecase where the user performs an operation of changing the audio outputstate without changing the mode, i.e. an operation of turning off theaudio or canceling the mute state using the console button or the remotecontrol button of the TV 1 and/or the amplifier 2, or especially, evenin the case where the user performs an operation to mute the audio fromthe device from which the audio is output and the audio is muted fromboth the internal speaker 108 and the external speaker 3 of the TV 1 insuch a way that the audio ceases to be outputted from both the internalspeaker 108 and the external speaker 3 of the TV 1, then the user caneasily restore the TV mode or the theater mode by confirming and ifrequired, changing the audio output state according to the mode storedin the memory 101 of the TV 1.

Also, the user may perform an operation, using the main button or theremote control button of the TV 1 and/or the amplifier 2, to prevent astate in which the audio is outputted from neither the internal speaker108 of the TV 1 nor the external speaker 3 when the TV 1 is not in thestate in which the audio is outputted from neither the internal speaker108 of the TV 1 nor the external speaker 3 as described above. Further,the user may equip the TV 1 and the amplifier 2 with a function whichenables an operation for changing the audio output state, i.e.prohibiting the muting operation or canceling the mute state, when thestate in which the audio is outputted from neither the internal speaker108 nor the external speaker 3 of the TV 1 is not assumed.

Functions which enable the muting operation or canceling the mute statecan be set when constructing the system shown in FIG. 2. Specifically,when the TV 1 and the amplifier 2 are connected by the HDMI cable orwhen the power of the TV 1 and the amplifier 2 is turned on afterconnecting them by the HDMI cable, and so on, the TV 1 may prohibit themuting operation or cancel the off state on its own, and further mayprohibit the amplifier 2 connected with the HDMI cable from performingthe operations for muting or canceling the mute state held by theamplifier 2. The prohibition may be set by the user by selecting an itemin a settings menu or the like held by the TV 1.

Note that with the system according to this embodiment, in the statewhere the audio is outputted from b oth the internal speaker 108 of theTV 1 and the external speaker 3, or in the state where the audio of boththe internal speaker 108 and the external speaker 3 of the TV 1 aremuted, the user can obviously recover to the desired audio output statefrom the state in which the audio is outputted from both the internalspeaker 108 of the TV 1 and the external speaker 3, or from the state inwhich the audio of both the internal speaker 108 and the externalspeaker 3 of the TV 1 are muted, by displaying the menu screen held bythe TV, operating to select “mode change” and thus resetting to the TVmode or the theater mode.

INDUSTRIAL APPLICABILITY

The video/audio output device according to an aspect of the invention isuseful as a TV or the like, and the external speaker control apparatusaccording to an aspect of the invention is useful as an amplifier or thelike.

1-15. (canceled)
 16. A video and audio output apparatus which outputsvideo and audio, comprising: an internal speaker operable to output theaudio; a holding unit operable to hold information which indicates oneof a plurality of audio output modes; an accepting unit operable toaccept an instruction from outside the video and audio output apparatus;a management unit operable to cause said holding unit to hold theinformation based on a mode-specifying instruction for specifying anoutput mode of the audio accepted by said accepting unit; a receivingunit operable to receive an instruction from an external speaker controlapparatus which controls an external speaker outside of said video andaudio output apparatus; and an output unit operable to output theinformation indicating the audio output mode held in said holding unitto the external speaker control apparatus when said receiving unitreceives, from said external speaker control apparatus, an instructionto request output of the information indicating the audio output mode.17. The video and audio output apparatus according to claim 16, whereinsaid management unit is operable to cause, based on the mode-specifyinginstruction, said holding unit to hold one of (a) information indicatinga first audio output mode for causing said internal speaker to outputthe audio, and (b) information indicating a second audio output mode forcausing said external speaker to output the audio.
 18. The video andaudio output apparatus according to claim 16, further comprising acontrol unit operable (a) to cause said internal speaker to output theaudio when the information indicating the first audio output mode foroutputting the audio from said internal speaker is held in said holdingunit, and (b) not to output the audio from said internal speaker whenthe information indicating the second audio output mode for outputtingthe audio from said external speaker is held in said holding unit. 19.The video and audio output apparatus according to claim 16 furthercomprising: a control unit operable to control the output of the audiofrom said internal speaker based on the information indicating the audiooutput mode held in said holding unit; a detection unit operable todetect a change of the power supply of the video and audio outputapparatus from an off state to an on state, wherein the output unit isfurther operable to output the information indicating the audio outputmode held in said holding unit to an external speaker control apparatuswhich controls the external speaker when said detection unit detects thechange of the power supply from an off state to an on state.
 20. Anexternal speaker control apparatus which controls an external speakerwhich is a speaker outside a video and audio output apparatus, saidexternal speaker control apparatus comprising: a detection unit operableto detect a change of the power supply of the external speaker controlapparatus from an off state to an on state; an output unit operable tooutput, to the video and audio output apparatus, an instruction torequest the output of the information indicating an audio output modewhen said detection unit detects the change of said power supply from anoff state to an on state; a receiving unit operable to receive theinformation from said video and audio output apparatus; and a controlunit operable to control the audio outputted from the external speakerbased on the information indicating the audio output mode received bysaid receiving unit.
 21. The external speaker control apparatusaccording to claim 20, wherein said control unit (a) is operable tocause said external speaker not to output the audio when said receivingunit receives the information indicating the first audio output mode foroutputting the audio from the internal speaker of the video and audiooutput apparatus, and (b) is operable to cause the external speaker tooutput the audio when said receiving unit receives the informationindicating the second audio output mode for outputting the audio fromsaid external speaker.
 22. An audio output mode notification methodcomprising: holding the information which indicates one of a pluralityof audio output modes in a holding unit based on an instructionspecifying the audio output mode; receiving an instruction from anexternal speaker control apparatus which controls a speaker outside avideo and audio output apparatus; and outputting the informationindicating the audio output mode held in the holding unit to theexternal speaker control apparatus when an instruction requesting theoutput of the information indicating the audio output mode is receivedfrom the external speaker control apparatus.
 23. The audio output modenotification method according to claim 22 further comprising:controlling the output of the audio from the internal speaker of a videoand audio output apparatus, based on the information indicating theaudio output mode held in the holding unit; detecting a change of thepower supply of the video and audio output apparatus from an off stateto an on state; and outputting the information indicating the audiooutput mode held in the holding unit to the external speaker controlapparatus when the change of the power supply from an off state to an onstate is detected.
 24. An external speaker control method comprising:detecting a change of the power supply of an external speaker controlapparatus which controls a speaker outside a video and audio outputapparatus from an off state to an on state; outputting an instructionrequesting the output of information which indicates the audio outputmode to a video and audio output apparatus when the change of the powersupply from an off state to an on state is detected; receivinginformation from the video and audio output apparatus; and controllingthe output of the audio from an external speaker based on theinformation indicating the audio output mode received.
 25. An integratedcircuit comprising: a management unit operable to cause a holding unitto hold information which indicates one of a plurality of audio outputmodes, based on an instruction specifying the output mode of the audio;a receiving unit operable to receive an instruction from an externalspeaker control apparatus which controls a speaker outside a video andaudio output apparatus; and an output unit operable to output theinformation indicating the audio output mode held in the holding unit tothe external speaker control apparatus when said receiving unitreceives, from the external speaker control apparatus, an instructionrequesting output of the information indicating the audio output mode.26. The integrated circuit according to claim 25 further comprising: acontrol unit operable to control the audio outputted from an internalspeaker of a video and audio output apparatus, based on the informationindicating the audio output mode held in the holding unit; a detectionunit operable to detect a change of the power supply of the video andaudio output apparatus from an off state to an on state, wherein saidoutput unit is further operable to output the information indicating theaudio output mode held in the holding unit to the external speakercontrol apparatus when said detection unit detects the change of thepower supply from an off state to an on state.
 27. An integrated circuitcomprising: a detection unit operable to detect a change of the powersupply of an external speaker control apparatus which controls thespeaker outside a video and audio output apparatus from an off state toan on state; an output unit operable to output, to the video and audiooutput apparatus, an instruction requesting the output of informationwhich indicates the audio output mode in the case where said detectionunit detects the change of said power supply from an off state to an onstate; a receiving unit operable to receive the information from thevideo and audio output apparatus; and a control unit operable to controlthe output of the audio from an external speaker based on theinformation indicating the audio output mode received by said receivingunit.
 28. A program causing a computer to execute: causing a holdingunit to hold information which indicates one of a plurality of audiooutput modes, based on an instruction specifying the audio output mode;receiving an instruction from an external speaker control apparatuswhich controls a speaker outside a video and audio output apparatus; andoutputting the information indicating the audio output mode held in theholding unit to an external speaker control apparatus in the case wherean instruction requesting the output of the information indicating theaudio output mode is received from the external speaker controlapparatus.
 29. The program according to claim 28 further causing acomputer to execute: controlling output of the audio from an internalspeaker of a video and audio output apparatus based on the informationindicating the audio output mode held in the holding unit; and detectinga change of the power supply of the video and audio output apparatusfrom an off state to an on state; and outputting the informationindicating the audio output mode held in the holding unit to theexternal speaker control apparatus when the change of the power supplyfrom an off state to an on state is detected.
 30. A program causing acomputer to execute: detecting a change of the power supply of anexternal speaker control apparatus which controls a speaker outside avideo and audio output apparatus from an off state to an on state;outputting, to the video and audio output apparatus, an instructionrequesting output of information which indicates the audio output modein the case where the change of the power supply from an off state to anon state is detected; receiving the information from the video and audiooutput apparatus; and controlling output of the audio from the externalspeaker based on the information indicating the audio output modereceived.